Harpootlian Mocks Huntsman As A Republican Imposter

By Beth Reinhard  //  June 21, 2011 | 3:05 p.m.
Updated: June 23, 2011 | 9:05 a.m.

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Dick Harpootlian derided former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Tuesday as a Republican imposter in advance of a Wednesday visit by the newly minted presidential candidate.

The call was part of a chorus from Democratic party officials from around the country in the wake of Huntsman's official presidential campaign announcement Tuesday. The Democratic strategy is obvious: to hammer at the inconsistencies in Huntsman's record - particularly his backtracking on cap-and-trade - and tar him with the same flip-flop label that has dogged the Republican frontrunner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

One of Huntsman's biggest vulnerabilities is that he worked for Obama as his ambassador to China until just two months ago.

"We always welcome Obama administation officials to South Carolina, and just a few weeks ago Jon Huntsman was one of them,'' Harpootlian quipped. "He took a job from Obama and now he's lamenting the fact that Obama drove the country into a ditch?''

He added: "Welcome to South Carolina Jon Huntsman, hopefully where you'll get your head straight.''


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